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It would have been Iain's 70th today. I miss my dear old friend deeply.

It was a glass of Minervois Rosé actually. Note the emoticon, for Broadscot's birthday. Its hard to tell from photos but that does look like an AF hull and the windows are what you might see in a steel boat such as a Pedro. Again I am guessing but the superstructure appears to be in plywood which, hopefully is of marine grade. In which case I recommend a survey to make sure that the ply has not started to delaminate. It all looks a bit "new" to me, so hopefully no damage has been done but when plywood delaminates, you are too late. There does not appear to be a canopy for the upper steering position so that plywood varnished top is totally exposed to the weather, as is the instrument panel itself. Nothing wrong with a BMC 2.5 diesel. Indestructible!

What I would say is that be very aware that this boat may well have a wooden superstructure, and if that's the case then you're looking at wooden boat levels of maintenance on the exterior. An all-fibreglass boat will cost you more, but will just need a good wash at the start of the season and ideally a polish and to then be kept clean and sensibly looked after. Any wooden boat really wants to be kept in a wet shed, and that will cost you more every year than just a regular mooring. You can of course put a cover on it, but then you've got to keep that maintained and keep taking the thing back on and off every time.

I say! Very nicely fitted out inside. That is definitely a one - off job. Looks more like a Cotswolds pub!

It will be interesting to see what happens in respect of mooring fees when WRC hire craft visiit other boat hire yards. Under the the arrangement at Ferry Marina, hire craft from other hire boat federation boatyards moored free of charge at Ferry Marina and boats from Ferry Marina moored free of charge in other hire boat federation boatyards. Under the new set up, as boats in the hireboat federation are currently charged to moor overnight at WRC, l assume it is possible that hire boats from WRC may be charged to moor overnight in hire boat federation boatyards.

Ok a quick update. Phils guys have sent me a video of the starboard side chine and chine boards which in the video can clearly be seen are the original ones, copper nails and all. Well needless to say the rotted nature of the now lightweight boards was amply demonstrated by the use of screwdriver and the shower of rotten wood shards hitting the floor. These boards planks or whatever you want to call them are now being replaced so our little maintenance break just became much more major. Phil is clearing out the old ( from 1952) boards and replacing them with 2019 boards. When these last until 2077 the old lady will be 125 years old and I will be kind of dead. Wish us us luck more in process pics to follow . Martin and Fiona

A bar!! I’ll need a bloody brewery installed [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] Yes I’d like to keep doing the vlogs if the other members of the syndicate didn’t have an issue with me doing them on the boat. Not so much the fact I was doing the vlogs but maybe more they didn’t want attention drawn to the boat. It’s something I would find out and make clear everyone is ok with before joining one [emoji3] Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

There really is no 'true blood' argument to have. Aquafibre was Broom's sister company and they used to lay up all of the mouldings. There were a set available for anyone to buy, and once a Broom model had finished its production run (and in some cases during) those mouldings were also made available for any yard to buy as a set of mouldings - or indeed just a hull. If it wasn't fitted out by Broom, it's not a Broom. It's that simple.

All year round when we get the chance . I'm up at the boat every week as I work nearby two days a week so stay on the boat overnight. If time/weather allows I like to get out of the marina and on to the rivers but even if not, love just spending time on board.

Good morning everyone. I was looking at boats to hire for next year and I’ve realised that hiring three to four times a year is getting very expensive. As such I’m beginning to think that the best way to visit the Broads regularly is by joining a syndicate boat. However, I have very little knowledge about this process and would welcome any tips, help or advice on how I should go about it, questions I should be asking and more importantly boats available. After hiring Royal Oak last year I’m liking the look of Thunder that I’ve so far found but I’m sure there’s many others. At the moment I’m only at the start of gathering information but if I want to visit the Broads more often and I can’t afford my own boat I think a syndicate is the way to go. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Yes they are, and this is the normal way of dressing them. The tradition comes from making planking repairs to a wooden boat. The boat may have been built with copper roves but repairs are usually done with brass screws. The boatbuilder leaves all the slots horizontal when he has planked up and before filling the holes with putty or with wooden dowels. That way, if the plank ever needs to be replaced again, you can clear away as much putty as possible and push your screwdriver in horizontal, to find the slot and remove the screw. This tradition is carried on in the fitting out of interiors, so that all the screws in a window frame, in cupboard hinges, on the piano hinge of folding tables, and even on the "feather edges" of Lino covered floorboards, are all "dressed" in the same direction. It is one of the marks of a high quality boatbuilder.

I miss him. He was very supportive to me in my hour of need. I still read our many pm's when I'm looking for advice. We did have plans to meet up, unfortunately it never happened , then he was gone. Im quite proud that it was my suggestion to name this lounge after him and very thankful the mods agreed. A top lad so he was .

Hi Russell, whatever you choose make sure its got a bar fitted, that way your sure to have plenty of err crew to erm help.Hope your still going to do your vlogs Paul

3.... Impossible to start Christmas before December 1st!

Two things about Iain that are impossible.... 1) impossible to replace 2) impossible to forget Jeff

Or may be an up to date joke book Regards Alan

Or a brewery

All of the boats quoted by OG are on the BCBM website along with loads of other usefull information.There is also Lightningcruiser.com a self managed boat, they have a share for sale as does Ranworth breeze. Other syndicates are, Southern Crusader, Blue Mist and even Broad Ambition,though you will need to own a Teak forest to persuade griff to release a share lol. Good luck. paul

Thunder is a great boat, but not necessarily the easiest if you'll be single-handed - At 43 feet she can often seem to be just that bit too big to fit into the gaps people leave at popular mooring spots. Also, from the interior helm the visibility of the stern is best described as 'quite limited'. The size is also such that really you do want one person at the helm and then at least one person on deck (ideally at least two). If you're planning on boating more as a party of two or three then she's a different proposition, and doesn't feel cramped with a larger party aboard. With a group of five mates, we've been able to use her comfortably with no-one making beds up each night as she has five separate beds (plus the saloon). There is plenty of space in the saloon and also upstairs, because of the large flat area on the aft cabin roof giving you more room. Silver Cloud, Goosander or one of the Pearls (Moonlight Shadow / Evening Shadow) may be a good fit if you're mostly likely to be out on your own.

If it is a one off, you should be aware it will have a more limited appeal in the marketplace - it may also be a slightly unusual construction all of which will affect resale value. But whatever you do, do not think having a proper survey is a waste of money - its for your own peace of mind and quite literally your insurance. That upper steering has River Thames written all over it and you should remember that at that time there were a number of boatbuilders on the Thames who could have put it together.

Hull wraps are becoming pretty common, We did a few via a dedicated contractor in my last place. It's quite an investment though as it really only last 7 years (if the correct stuff is used), in terms of scratches though, it can be repaired and will look good from a distance.. I'd probably say it's quite tough stuff and will probably withstand gentle knocks etc.. It really is something for the pros though as it's a very skilled thing to do.

About 5 years ago friend fr ours had a Sealine that had picked up a few scuffs before he bought her and he had it vinyl wrapped in a metallic gold finish It looked immaculate and he was advised that if it got damaged in a "scuff" it could be simply remedied with a patch that would be invisible once applied He never had to put that to the test though but on the whole the appearance of the boat was greatly improved. Carole

My advice would echo Alan's, I would also add go for a boat with more berths than you think you might need. Think about all the issues you may face as you get older, less mobility etc. and also where you want to go. There are a few of us on here in the Thunder and Moonlight Shadow syndicates so any questions just ask away.

Hello Russell, As you be aware the forum has a wealth of forum members from most if not all of the boat syndicates on the Norfolk Broads. The syndicates are slightly different in the way they are managed, some are by owners committee's, others are managed by a Management Company. There are single week, 2 week allocations,or 4 week dependent on the type of syndicate. My advice would be check out all the styles of boats, look in detail at the contracts, your commitment with regards to the management fees, winter service fees or sinking fund(if applicable). If you want any advice by all means contact me. Regards Alan Alan Hood Chairman & Trustee Ranworth Breeze Boat Syndicate

Perhaps "worried" is too strong a word for it. Till now there have been warnings, and counter arguments against those warnings. I have been reasonably happy that good, well read people on both sides have balanced the debate. Now, someone with legal credentials has put far more weight on the "warnings" side, so I am more concerned than I had been. Nothing has changed YET, but that doesn't mean that it cannot, and therefore might. What for example, can we do if the mighty Dr retires and someone even worst takes charge. Dr Packman will not be in his current position for ever and when he goes that will herald change. Do we wait for that to happen? Yes the rivers are still beautiful, and for now, we are allowed on them!

Me too, the forum is just not the same without him.

Oh come off it Martin! That really is a very pessimistic statement. You would do far better to have a more positive outlook on life. With all the progress of modern science and the massive leaps forwards made by the scientists, that new planking might last till 2152.

Alright Dave

Is it Triggers broom?

I have just happened across the Authority's recruitment policy (Human Resources Policy No. 16 - Recruitment and Selection). This covers recruitment at every level. Paragraph 5 reads: 5. Selection and Appointment of the Chief Executive 5.1 The selection and appointment of the Chief Executive will be made by a panel of Members in consultation with Natural England. The panel has the opportunity to seek advice on the process from the HR Team, as they consider appropriate.

Hi Everybody, I am a newbie to this site, but not to boating on the broads, having owned 3 different broads boats, 1st boat 16foot birchwood day boat got me hooked, then we bought a viking 20 "wookie" lovely weekend cruiser, and our last boat which was sold last October a 30 foot bounty which we renamed "sally's dex". So we are now boat less, and i'm not happy, can't find a replacement for the bounty 30, I am wondering if anyone on this forum may be able to help? I am looking for an aquafibre pearl 38 or aquafibre diamond 35 or something similar, any idea's welcome, I have cash waiting for the right boat. any suggestions would be most welcome, I am missing having a boat badly, and its only January. thanks mark.(newbie)

Hi David, it was`nt a critisism, i just thought people would like to know for future reference.

People forget about Evening Shadow as well moored at Richardsons Horning. We enjoy her and love the times we are on.

HI, All I want is a nice boat of almost any manufacture, however if the seller is making a claim in effort to get a higher price then I need info to negotiate the price towards what I might pay for it. It is broads compatible as far as I am aware yes and do I need to say where I might use it in this post I think not however I have taken your points onboard.

Hi Admiral, I own a share in Lightning, and like you, decided if we were going to hire several times a year, i was better off buying into a Syndicate. I chose Lightning as at the time, her shares were cheaper than Thunder, though they are comparable now. Unlike Thunder, Moonlight and Evening Shadows, and Silver Cloud, we are self managed. If you`re interested, i can contact our chairman to see if we have a share available, if we have, i can give you his details so you can contact him direct. DAVIDH, we had an owner that regularly cruised Lightning as a solo crew, and he never had any problems.

I wonder how many rolls of Fablon it would take for a 30ft boat?.................

Nah, that's what he traded to get HIS share

Thanks JA, wasn`t going to pay anywhere near the asking price based on something else I know about the owner, that said I agree with you on the other points. Thanks for the heads up re Perkins.

Thanks for all replies much appreciated and a proper survey will/ would of been done as my head rules my heart lol. Anybody want to take a guess at the asking price based on 1982 Broom, thorneycraft 2.5 engine, bsc march 2020, strong bank of batteries, hot & cold pumped water, meaco dehumidifier, inverter, vetus 1.5kw thruster, 4 burner gas cooker, full size 12v or 240v fridge, all singing bells & all microwave, electronic safe, trumatic warm air system, 240v/ 12v lights, usb sockets. Looks like solid wood fit out everywhere and a large folder of receipts / paperwork.

By very definition, she can't be a Broom unless they built her. If the builder was sold a full or partial set of mouldings for fitting out, then it's an Aquafibre. A lot of stuff gets listed by brokers as 'Broom' because a) they don't know any better and b) it sounds good. The hull does look like it could be Aquafibre, certainly, and I'd agree that the superstructure looks to be DIY so it'd need to be very carefully surveyed.

I'm sure that he can be but the harsh reality is that it appears that he isn't. DEFRA has certainly made it clear that it won't interfere with the running of the BA. Thankfully three of our local MPs are on side, acknowledging the democratic deficit of the Authority. However, if 'he' is answerable to anyone in the civil service then I can't tell you who that is.

I would always be worried about what lies under the vinyl.

Awww I do remember Iain very fondly

Here here

Which is why I try to get hold of ‘old’ teak planks and store it for future needs Griff

MM the problem is that due to those leaps in modern science the seasoning of timber is no longer done the traditional slow way, so the new planking may well not last as long as the original.

Looks like a diy superstructure to me.

Welcome Kezolah I never stop either if I can make it without work messing me up, I was on the rivers over the new year too and will be there again next week.

Not a security issue, I'm sure! It is just a shame that the Authority had to be dragged kicking and screaming into dredging. Once it was realized that there were conservation advantages, reedbed re-creation and an increase in the flushing factor, the Authority pulled its finger out and now appears to be doing a good job! Surely you remember the hoo-ha from the sailing fraternity over the reluctance by the Authority in dredging The Sound? Anyway, a welcome change of heart. Ten years, are you sure? How time flies!